Thread production apparatus



July 4, 1939.

J. D. RENFROE THREAD PRODUCTION APPARATUS Filed June 8, 1937 FIGB,

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Patented July 4,` 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y 2,164,426 THREAD PRODUCTION APPARATUS Apputation June s, 1937, serial No. 147,088 7 claims. (C1. 242-130) This invention lrelates to an improvementr in winding devices for the production of threads, yarns, cords or the like. More particularly, the v invention relates to apparatus for securely positioning a thread package core, bobbin or spool on` the spindle of a winding machine. This invention has particular utility in the production of. and winding of artificial silk thread, such as the dry spinning and winding of cellulose acetate 10 thread.

In the winding of threads, yarns, cords and the like, it is customary to wind the same onto a light weight tubular core which may, for example, be composed of chipboard, cardboard,

laminated paper or the like. These cores are usually produced in long lengths which are then cut to the desired size. The individual cut tubes, when produced in this manner, are found to have somewhat uneven edges and slight variations in length.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for securely positioning tubular cores on a spindle of a winding machine even though the cores have slight g5 variations in length.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for securely positioning tubular cores in a definite location on a spindle of the winding machine even though the cores have slight variations in length.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for securely positioning tubular cores in a definite location on the spindle of a winding machine and thereby preventing any longitudinal movement of the core during the Winding operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The objects of the invention may be accomplished by positioning a cylindrical tube core between a fixed iiange integral with the hub of a winding machine spindle and a' laterally movable ange integral with a supporting sleeve, The flange of the movable supporting sleeve is thrust towards the fixed flange by the inward pull of a spring-pressed ball acting on the incline of a recess situated on the inner side of the supporting, sleeve.

The details of the invention will become more 60 readily apparent by reference to the following I description taken in connection with the accom/v panying drawing, in which: I

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing a swinging arm winding device, particularly suitable for carrying out the pro-V with the surface drive roll 29 thereby causing duction of thread packages with the improved core holding assembly of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a freely rotatable spindle of a winding device and showing positioned on the hub of the spindle a 5 supporting sleeve and tubular core.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional exploded view showing the relative positioning of the parts adapted to hold the tubular core in position on the spindle hub.

Referring to the drawing, reference numeral designates the lower portion of a spinning cell for the production of. cellulose derivative threads. The thread I3, after issuing from the spinning cell, is passed about a plurality of rolls and guides I5 and then to the guide I1 of a reciprocating thread guiding device I9. The thread I3 is wound on a light-Weight tubular core 22 which is positioned on the hub 24 of a moving arm winder spindle 2|. The hub 24 is freely rotatably positioned on the spindle 2|. The spindle 2| is mounted on the swing arm 23 which in turn is pivotally mounted at 25 to the supporting frame of the winding machine. The swing arm 23 is provided with a handle 21 for placing the core 22 into contact with a surface drive roll 29. The surface drive roll 29 is driven in any desired manner by means of spindle 3|.

The spindle hub 24 willv be rotated by contact the thread I3 to be wound on the core with the aid of the reciprocating guiding means I9.

The spindle hub 24 is provided with springpressed balls 35 whichare projected through openings in the hub. The hub 24 is preferably mounted on the spindle 2| by means of ball bearings. A supporting sleeve 31 is provided with an annular internal groove 39 and an internal peripheral beveled edge 40 for the purpose of cooperating with the spring-pressed balls 35 to securely hold the same in position on the hub. The tubular core 22, which may have slight variations in length and be somewhat uneven at the edges thereof, is first positioned on the supporting sleeve 31, as shown in Figure 3 and this entire unit lslipped over the end of` the spindle 2| until the spring-pressed balls 35 contact the inclined edge 4| 'of the groove 39. It will be noted that the supporting sleeve 31 does not quite touch the flange 4 3 of the hub 24 (see Figure 2 of the drawing). The spring-pressed balls 35 will be forced against the inclined edge 4| of the groove 39 causing the rsupporting sleeve to tend to be drawn towards the iiange 43. In

this manner, tubular cores having slight variations in length will be clamped between the flange 43 of the hub 24 and the flange 45 of the supporting sleeve 31.

Depending upon the force exerted by the springpressed balls 35, the angle of the incline 4l, as measured with reference to the interior surface ofthe supporting sleeve, may be varied from 45 to 5 or slightly less. Preferably, however, the incline has an angle of to 30.

The assembly of the invention with its holding means consisting of a fixed flange, an axially adjustable ilange, and locking means consisting of the thrust of a spring-pressed ball on an in. clined surface integrally connected to the said movable ilange, oiers a particularly advantageous method of securely holding tube cores of precisely the same length against side play during winding operations. However, the holding means of the invention, because of its automatic sidewise adjustment feature, is of even greater value in being automatically adaptable to holding tube cores of variable lengths against side play during winding. It is preferred that this variation in length of the tube cores not exceed als to -g of an inch although by the use of an incline of slight slope and a spring-pressed ball exerting a force of 3-5 pounds, it is possible to use tube cores having a maximum variation in length of 35 to 1/8 of an inch. Since it is somewhat diffcult to fabricate tube cores of precisely th-e same length, since the sidewise displacement of the tube cores of as little as 0.005 during winding causes the formation of a yarn package containing an excessive number of crossed ends and like defects, it is quite evident that the improvement of being able to hold rmly on the same assembly tube cores of varying lengths is a distinct advance in the art.

The fixed and movable end flanges should be at least suiliciently high so that they clinch rmly the ends of the tube core and at least suiciently low in the case of face driven winders that the tube core rests at the beginning of winding directly on the face driven roll. Generally speaking, therefore, the height of the two anges will be governed by the vwall thickness of the tube cores being used. In this connection, the invention contemplates the use of tube cores of any suitable thickness. Thus, by the improved holding means of the invention, a tube core may be used having a wall thickness of as little as le" or having a wall thickness of 1/4" or more. The xed flange is constructed integrally with the sleeve support. Bearing this integral construction in mind and the height limitations previously described, it will be evident that these two annular flanges may be replaced by similar mechanical structures such as outwardly projecting lugs preferably spaced symmetrically around the periphery of the hub and sleeve support, or by slightly flaring orv tapering the ends of the hub member and sleeve support.

The tube core may be constructed of any suitable light weight, relatively inexpensive material such as ber, vulcanized ber, paper, pasteboard, laminated cloth, tin, aluminum or the like. If desired, the smoothness of the surface of the tube core may be enhanced or protected by coating with a lacquer of phenol-formaldehyde resin or the like. y

The sleeve support, on the other hand, is preferably made of a relatively heavy, rigid material such as wood, metal, or molded synthetic resins like phenol-aldehyde and urea-formaldehyde. As to length, thesleeve support should be at as 312" shorter than the tube core carrier and alsoshould extend at least slightly beyond the recess cf the incline against which the spring loaded ball is pressed. The sleeve support, of course, not only serves the function of adapting the tube core to the hub member, but also assists in clinching the tube core in place during winding.

The holding means of the invention nds its most valuable application in winding at the spinning machine an untwisted and continuously spun yarn into a well formed yarn package on a straight Walled, light weight tube core. The method of spinning the yarn to be wound is immaterial. Of course, if the yarn is wet spun as in the case of viscose, or cuprammonium, the holding means and assembly are preferably constructed of materials which are resistant to the action of the bath liquor. Likewise, the yarn to be wound may be of any composition and may, for example, consist of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetopropionate, or other cellulose ester; of ethyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose, or other cellulose ether; or of a synthetic material such as polyvinyl alcohol, derivatives of polyvinyl alcohol, or compounds such as disclosed in Carothers United States Letters Patent No. 2,071,251.

While the holding means of the invention is preeminently suited to winding a well formed yarn package at the spinning machine, still the apparatus may also be applied with advantage in other winding operations. Thus, the apparatus with suitable modifications as to diameter and length may also be utilized in connection with the winding of a Well formed yarn package on `most any standard up-twisting, down-twisting or winding machines. Likewise, instead of being rotated by a surface drive roll, the holding means of the invention and its hub member may be rotated by attachment in a suitable manner to a positively driven spindle.v

It is distinctly preferred in the winding operation to traverse the yarn on to the tube core with the thread guide resting on the yarn cake and attached to a traverse bar as hereinabove described, as such gives a yarn package of superior formation. The invention, however, contemplates the method wherein the tube core is face driven by a Reece roll bearing an annular cam groove which traverses the yarn on the tube core.-

It will be noted that the holding means of the invention securely holds the tube core at either end so that side play is prevented which makes possible the winding of a yarn cake having a depth of 3-5 or more inches Without the occurrence of any substantial number of overthrown ends. The improved holding means of the invention makes possible also the use of straight walled tube cores which in turn makes possible the ready fabrication of tube cores which are perfectly cylindrical in shape and which therefore rotate evenly on the face drive roll. Likewise, since the tube cores are straight walled, they may be readily fabricated from sheet material such as paper or tin and are therefore comparatively inexpensive. The improved holding means and assembly of the invention also has the distinct advantage of being quickly and readily separated and assembled again by the operator. However, the most significant advantage is the fact that the tube cores do not have to be fashioned precisely the same length each time. That is to say, the holding means will Aautomatically fit tube cores of varying lengths or having somewhat uneven edges.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modications can bemade in the above described vapparatus without varying from the nature and .spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to t over said hub, and cooperating means on said hub and supporting sleeve for securely holding said cylindrical supporting means.

2. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to t over said hub, spring-pressed means `for holding said sleeve on said hub, and cooperating means on said hub and sleeve for securely holding said cylindrical supporting means.

3. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a

rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to t over said hub, spring-pressed means for holding said sleeve on said hub, and cooperating means drawn toward each other by said spring-pressed means for securely holding said cylindrical supporting means.

4. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to t over said hub, a groove on the interior of said sleeve, spring-pressed means projecting from said hub into said groove for holding said sleeve on said hub, and cooperating means on said hub and sleeve for securely holding said cylindrical supporting means.

5. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to t over said hub, a groove on the interior of said sleeve, spring-pressed means projecting from said hub into said groove for holding said sleeve on said hub, a projecting element xed to said hub, a projecting element xed to said sleeve, said projecting elements cooperating to hold said cylindrical supporting means therebetween.

6. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a

rotatable hub on said spindle, a supporting sleeve adapted to flt over said hub, a groove on the interioiof said sleeve, a spring-pressed ball `projecting from said hub into said groove tending to pull said sleeve toward va fixed ange on said hub, a xed flange on said sleeve spaced from said hub flange, said anges cooperating to securely hold said cylindrical supporting means therebetween.

7. In an apparatus for the winding of thread on a cylindrical supporting means, a spindle, a rotatable hub on said spindle, a projection on said hub, a supporting sleeve adapted to llt over said hub, a projection on said sleeve, a springpressed ball projecting from said hub into a groove on the interior of said sleeve, said ball and groove coacting to draw said projections toward eachother whereby to securely hold said -cylindrical supporting means when positioned 

